MichiganRadio

Federal Govt Stepping Up Asian Carp Search YPSILANTI, MI (Michigan Radio) -

Federal and state agencies are stepping up their search for Asian Carp in a shipping canal system near Lake Michigan. Its feared the carp could endanger the Great Lakes' multi-billion dollar fishing industry.

Charlie Wooley is the Midwest Deputy Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He says searchers are using a combination of high tech and commercial fishing techniques to look for Asian Carp in areas near an electronic barrier set up to stop the invasive fish species.

"We have indication through E-DNA that there are Asian Carp above the barrier. But to this point in time, we have not come up with a single specimen yet," says Wooley.

The Obama administration and the state of Illinois have opposed calls from Michigan and other Great Lakes states to close the canal.

Federal officials will outline their plan to stop the carp at a public hearing this afternoon in Ypsilanti. © Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio